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Siddaramaiah has last laugh in seat-sharing deal

TNN | Mar 14, 2019, 10:21 IST

Siddaramaiah

BENGALURU: Former chief minister Siddaramaiah had the last laugh in his battle with the JD(S) on seat- sharing as he managed to retain Mysuru seat for the Congress. The JD(S) had set its eyes on Mysuru and wanted to field former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda from there. But Siddaramaiah was against the move as he feared Gowda’s victory would further consolidate domination of Vokkaligas in district politics.

Siddaramaiah, who shares a love-hate relationship with Vokkaligas, had suffered a humiliating defeat in Chamundeshwari, his home turf, in the 2018 assembly polls. He lost to JD(S) rival GT Devegowda and his political career would have been ended had he not won from Badami, the second seat he contested.

“This is the reason why Siddaramaiah was opposed to giving Mysuru to the JD(S),” said a Congress leader. “He has successfully convinced AICC president Rahul Gandhi not to cede the seat.”

The development has left Gowda with no choice but to choose between Tumakuru or Bengaluru North. If sources in JD(S) are to be believed, Gowda might opt for Tumakuru as he considers it a safe seat. The JD(S) has three MLAs from the Tumakuru Lok Sabha seat and the Congress one. “Moreover the Vokkaligas, OBCs, SCs and Muslims, which together form the majority, are vote banks of both Congress and the JD(S),” sources said.

As far as Bengaluru North is concerned, Gowda himself is said to be reluctant though it is considered to be safe bet for the Congress and the JD(S) as both have MLAs in seven of the eight assembly segments in the parliamentary constituency. “But Gowda thinks that taking on Union minister DV Sadanand Gowda [the sitting MP] in an urban seat is not a wise decision,” sources said.

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